1stnov03

Saturday 01st November 2003

"I'll never give up" admits Thamesmead Town boss Blade

Thamesmead Town manager Paul Blade admitted he was a disappointed man after his side lost 3-1 at Cray Wanderers in the Go Travel Kent League Premier Division on Wednesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Thamesmead's right back Marc Meridan scored from a corner kick, after Cray's goalkeeper Dean Mann was forced to punch the ball into his own net after 73 minutes. This cancelled out Ricky Bennett's 37th minute opener, which was the strikers tenth goal in fifteen games.

Ian Jenkins' side bagged the three points from second half strikes from Adam Heaslewood (76 minutes) and James Taylor (83).

This defeat for the ambitious Bayliss Avenue side was their third in ten games, and are now six points behind Cray Wanderers, in fourth place, having have played one game more than the Wands.

Blade admitted: "It was a big game for us, Cray were in front of us and it was important we got something from the game.

"I thought we got ourselves back into the game, but started the second half a little sloppy and went a little gun-ho, when we should have shut up shop after we equalised. We didn't, and we paid the price for poor marking.", said a dejected Blade.

Thamesmead Town have improved their facilities at their Bayliss Avenue ground, recently building a smart 114-seater stand, and are focused on winning promotion from the Go Travel Kent League.

Blade, however, made it very clear he is concentrating on bringing success to the club.

He said: "I will never give up until the last game of the season. The ambitions of Thamesmead Town Football Club are like any other top club, and that is to get out of the Kent League.

"We are building a decent ground and facilities to get out of the league, and it's down to me to build a squad that's good enough to do that."

Thamesmead entertain whipping boys, Sporting Bengal United at Bayliss Avenue on Saturday.The east London side are still searching for their first point after twelve games in the Kent League.

Blade added: "Everyone who knows me, will know I won't give up. We just have to pick the boys up again and it's important we get three points."

Thamesmead Town vs Sporting Bengal United, Saturday 1 November 2003, @ Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, 3.00pm